Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew admitted the match against Queens Park Rangers in the English Premier League is a "must win game" for his side.
The Magpies, after finishing fifth last season, are currently struggling in 15th, just two points away from the relegation zone, while QPR, after picking up their first win of the season against Fulham last weekend, are 19th on ten points.
"You often hear the term must win game, but I have to say this match against QPR fits that description," Pardew said.
"There is a lot of pressure on my team this weekend. Rangers will arrive with nothing much to lose, so it will be a tough one for us, but we need to make St James' Park a tough place to come for visiting teams once again.
"We need the supporters to stick right behind us because this next period of matches will go a long way to deciding how our season is going to pan out and we need to start picking up some points."
Newcastle, who will face Metalist Kharkiv in the Europa League, have been hampered by having to play in the second tier European competition, with Pardew admitting it was taking a toll on his players.
"It has had an impact with the injuries we've sustained," he said. "This competition is not great for a Premier League team. It's too many games in addition to a tough, competitive league. It takes a toll.
"We've done more work on the training ground in the last month and have improved, the physical stats have gone up because we can tailor training.
"When you have that game on Thursday, it's difficult to recover."
To make up for having to play in the Europa League, Newcastle are expected to delve into the transfer market in January. "The chairman will back me in the transfer window and I have to reward him for the faith he has shown in me," Pardew added. "We've made mistakes.
"The squad was probably too small, we broke the team up in those Europa League games, which probably took momentum away. In January we're looking at bringing in a player. Maybe two or maybe even three."
Newcastle will be without Hatem Ben Arfa, Yohan Cabaye and Steven Taylor, but Gabirel Obertan returns from a toe injury. QPR will miss the services of Jose Bosingwa, Park Ji-Sung, Kieron Dyer and goalkeeper Julio Cesar.
To watch Newcastle vs QPR Live Stream, click here.
Expected lineups: Newcastle: Krul; Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon; Perch, Tiote, Anita, Guttierez; Cisse, Ba.
QPR: Green; Traore, Hill, Nelsen, Onuoha; Faurlin, Mbia, Wright-Phillips, Taarabt, Mackie, Cisse.
Prediction: 2-1 to Newcastle
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